Edited by angelicsounds
"Wait a minute!" Elle exclaimed in surprise. "You want me to do what?"
The Head of the Fine Arts department at the University where Elle was a grad student, replied, "I want to paint a portrait of you, Elle!"
"But in the nude?" she said in utter shock and surprise.
Dr. Thorton did his best to assure Elle that he had no other intentions than to paint, but she sized him up quickly. It wasn't that nudity was out of the question for Elle but more that she'd only done it with her boyfriends, those who she had grown in both relationship and trust with over a period of time. The Professor of Art was certainly a good looking man with his hair, a salt and pepper mixture, even though his original color was reddish brown. She liked his build as well, his kindness toward her, his caring spirit, and his enthusiasm toward the field of art.
But how this fine painter could actually ask her to pose for him in the raw was beyond her. If she did such a thing, she'd surely never hear the end of it, especially after her painting was sold for loads of money to those who might purchase it around campus. It could ruin her status as a grad student and whats more, every horny guy on campus would be groping her every time she walked by. She thought about it and knew she had to give Dr. Thorton an answer before she left his office.
The thought that he considered her one of the most beautiful women he'd ever seen made her stand at the fork in the decisive road, so to speak. In one way the proposal was ludicrous but in another, rather sexy, too. And it wasn't that she thought of him badly, just that one slip might cost her a reputation she'd worked hard to build.
His voice was deep, sexy, and winning midst his smile and demeanor. she stared him down in indecision, he told her that maybe she should just think about it for a week or so and let him know either by a personal note or email. But as the moments ticked on the old clock in his office, she found herself coming to a decision much faster than she might have liked regarding any other proposal.
Opening her mouth to speak, Elle said, "Dr. Thorton, I do appreciate all the complements you gave on my beauty. My answer unfortunately is no at this point."
Nodding his head and smiling in defeat, he stood, extended his hand, and led her to the door. He thanked her for her time and for at least considering his proposal. She did to him as well, particularly that he'd chosen her out of all the pretty black women on campus. Then she left the office and headed for work in the Media Center of the college library.
There, Elle found herself distracted by the professor's offer as she attempted to help students prepare media presentations for class. In one way, his offer intrigued her, after all she wondered if he alone would be the sole viewer of such a painting. In another, however, she felt a sense of cautiousness over doing a striptease for the college campus. Several students had to do their best to regain Elle's attentions as they sought help, in fact one started to snap his fingers in disgust to get her back into his world of PowerPoint slides.
About seven thirty that evening, she found the Media Center emptying out for the night. The big football game was that evening, so she doubted any more students would come by to work on the computers and media equipment. Walking back to her desk, she felt a little bored at being the only one there, so she laid her head on the desk to rest.
Eventually, she made a phone call to Keiko, her Japanese friend and Anna Maria, her friend from Venezuela. Elle put the question of Dr. Thorton's offer to them and told them to think about it until the three met at their favorite Frou-Frou coffee shop, just off campus.
There, Keiko ordered a Latte. Anna Maria insisted on her favorite, a Misto Grande, while Elle chose a large Cappuccino. Since the three often frequented the shop, the owner had gotten to know them well. He pretty much let them do as they pleased, due to the profits from selling them coffee. That night, he even allowed them to meet at a table he often reserved for himself and his wife. There, they could talk in privacy, although he doubted any three college students of any race or gender could even come up with a suitable topic for private discourse.
At the table, Elle reintroduced the professor's offer earlier that day. A moment later, the waiter, a guy named Digesh from India, delivered the three cups of hot brew, smiled at the three, and lingered an awkward moment to see if they'd like to talk to him. But as he did, he soon learned the meaning of rejection when Anna Maria instructed him to go and check on the other patrons. Digesh walked away in frustrated defeat although he knew he'd return later with refills.
"So he wants to paint you nude, huh?" Anna Maria said.
"You got it right!" Elle replied but then glanced at Keiko for any response.
"And you said no, right?" Keiko asked her friend.
Elle told them quickly that she had refused his offer but her eyes told them differently as Elle glanced downward towards her cup of coffee.
Elbowing Keiko, Anna said, "Ah, but you're not sure, right?"
Elle explained her situation with the risks but did offer that the thought of such a venture would be extremely intriguing and stimulating. The other two agreed, especially Anna, for she was quite beautiful herself, built like men wanted, and didn't mind showing it off either. Keiko informed them that she might do it if the offer came her way, but she doubted seriously that he was looking for such a petite girl.
While chattering away, the three drank their coffee and ordered refills. Digesh came in a flash. He liked Elle and wanted to get to know her better for the purpose of pursuing her for a date to an upcoming dance. When he brought refills, he inserted typical come-on phrases, none of witch interested the ladies.
